Lubricating system



Fh 19, 19261 www? J. H. HUNT LUBRICATING sYs TEM Filed March 18, 1918 3 sheets-sheet E Feb. 19 19246 11,484,663? J. H. HUNT LUBRICATING SYS TEM Filed March 18, 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 63 "i E E :o I 62 E o' o i a; 66 o 8 I 43 8 Q 73\ -7/ 49 I 13" 0 48 f 44, 62 Q 78 72 4/ 80 79 E 78 l E; 5/

Feb. 19, 1924 11,484,6@7

` J. H. HUNT LUBR'I CATING SYSTEM Filed March 18. 191s s sheets-sheet G "lit, 94

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ernten mateur rentrent 'ernten JOHN E. HUNT, F DAYTON, OHIMASSIGNOR T0 THE DAYTN ENGINEERING LABORA- TORIES COMPANY, CRPORATIION 0F QHEO.

LUBRICATING SYSTEM.

Application led March 18, 1918. Serial No. 223,035.

To all who-m 'it may conoem: f

Be it known that l, JOHN H. HUNT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, e and State of Ohio, have invented certain -new and useful Improvements in Lubricating Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

rl"his invention relates to processes of an apparatus for improving the qualityof engine lubricant during the operation of the' engine.

lt is well known that during the operation of an internal-combustion -engine on l5 relatively volatile hydrocarbon fuels and especially during the starting of the engine,

some of the engine fuel may leak past the pistons and become mixed with the lubricant in the crank case, resulting in deteriorating the lubricating properties of the lubricant.

lt `is among the objects of the present invention to provide a process of and apparatus ,f for improving the engine lubricant during the operation of the engine by refining the lubricant and so removing the more highly volatile diluents from the lubricant. By this invention the quality of the lubricant may be improved without iirst stopping the engine and removing the lubricant therefrom for refinement.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

Fig. 1 is a side view oflan engine having' a splash lubricating system including oil reiining devices.

Fig. 2 is a section view of modified form ofthe invention together with a fragmen- I tary view of an engine to which the invention is applied. l l

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end view of an engine and a side view of a form of my invention attached thereto, looking toward the radiator, a fragmentary back view of which is shown.

Referring to Fig. 1, 2O designates an internal-combustion engine having cylinders 21, crank case 22, intake manifold 23, and header 24 for circulating the water, all arranged in the usual manner. rllhe crank case 22 is provided with a quantity of lubrieating oil, the level of which is lshown by the line 25. By splashing of the crank 26 vinto and out of the well of oil, lubrication is furnished to the various moving parte or the engine.

30 designates the evaporating chamber located in proximity to the water header 24, and adapted to receive heat therefrom. Pipe 31 connects the lower part of the crank case 22 with the chamber 30, which is connected by pipe 32 with the intake manifold 23. lt is apparent that when the engine is operated, the suction produced thereby will cause the lubricating oil to be withdrawn from the crank case 22, and be delivered through the pipe 31 to the chamber 30. As a means for limiting the quantity of oil in the chamber 30, pipe 31 is provided with apvalve 33 controlled by Hoat 34. rlhe pump 35 serves to conduct away the oil from the chamber 30 through the pipe 36, and to re-deliver Vthe oil through pipe 37 to the crank case 22.

The operation ot the device is as follows: rllhe oil which is sucked b the action of the engine into the evaporatlng chamber 30 may be in an adulterated condition. may be caused, especially in cold` weather, by the actual leakage of the unburned fuel in a condensed condition past the piston rings, due to ignition occurring with a partially carbureted mixture. 'llhe fuel reaching the crank case will mix with the lubricant, and seriously aii'ect its lubricat- Ving power, resulting in excessive wear or even sticking of the motor, by the seizing of adjacent surfaces. Also a certain amount of the exhaust gas willV leak by the rings, owing to the fact that the sealing filament of oil is washed oti by the excess of unvaporized fuel in the cylinders, and water in this exhaust gas will condense in the crank case. This ,not only gives trouble, especially in cold weather, by diluting the oil, but also by freezing, thus cutting oil the oil circulation completely, causing the motor to stick up, and oil circulation pump drives to be broken.

`While the employment of heat and a reduction of pressure in an evaporating chamber is well known in oil renement processes, li have discovered that the heat generated and the suction produced in an internal-combustion engine ris sufiicient to operate an oil rening device which may be connected with the lubricating system oi the engine. I have found that, by reducing the pressure in receptacle 30 through the medium of the suction produced by the engine, the heat imparted by the circulating Waterv in header 24 is suiiicient to'evaporate the light hydrocarbon and Water in the mixture. A

" The pressure'in evaporating chamber 30 is reduced by thesuction-of the engine by virtue of the pipe 32 Which communicates with .the intake manifold 23. The lighter hydrocarbons and the Wa'ter having alower boiling point than the lubricant at the same pressure will volatilize 'and pass'out of the body of lubricant in the chamber 30 and 'be sucked through pipe 32, to the engine. The hydrocarbons will be burned, and the limited amount of steam will go through the engine Without doing any harm, and may have a benecial ei'ect toward prevention of the formation of'carbon deposit.

The lubricant as refined, willbe returned to the lubricating system by means of pump 35, or by any other convenient means acting against the suction in chamber 30.

The lubricant in chamber 30 could be circulated around the carburetor of the engine to heat the same, particularly in cold weather, beforel being returned to the lubrieating system. If desired, an oil filter might be included in the line between the chamber 30 and the crank case for the removal of slud e. A

I 2(have discovered that a portion of the exhaust gases can be employed satisfactorily to heat the lubricant during the reining process. To accomplish this end, the device shown in Fig. 2 is resorted to. In Fig. 2, 40 designates an internal-combustion engine having a cylinder 41, and a crank case 42, intake pipe 43 and exhaust pipe 44 which is provided with a side outlet 45.` Attached to the exhaust pipe 44 and communicating with outlet 45, is rener 56 comprising an evaporating tank or chamber 47 surrounded by a jacket 48 spaced from said ytank to provide a heating chamber 49 having an inlet 50 and an outlet 51 for the heating medium, inlet 50 being connecte-d with the outlet 45 of the exhaust pipe aud outlet 51 being connected by pipe 52 with the exhaust pipe 44 at a point beyond outlet 45.V

Pipe 53 leads from the oil sump of crank case 42, enters the bottom of chamber 49, is formed into a coil 54 surrounding tank 47, and terminates in portion 55 connected with passage 56 in cover 57. Cover 57 is provided with passages 58 and 60 adapted to be closed by valves 59 and 61,.respectively, which are operated by lever 62, pivoted at 463 upon a bracket 64 mounted upon cover 57. A lever 65 is also pivoted at 63, and is connected at its free end with lever by means of spring 66. VVhe-n spring 66 is below pivot 63 it is evident that lever will hold As a means for moving lever 65, thereis provided a link 67 connecting lever 65 with lever 68 pivoted upon bracket 69 mounted on cover 57. The free end of lever 68 is connected With a rod 70 having stops 71 and 72 adapted to be engaged by a loat 73.

The tank 47 is provided with trays filled with mineral Wool which serves as a strainer and to cause the lubricant to be broken up in dripping down to the bottom of the tank. i

Tank 47 is connected by pipe 75,` having at its lower end a flap valve 76, With a trap chamber 77 having an overflow' pipe 78 leading into crank case 42. i

A recess 78 is provided in the reiiner 46 for enclosing a thermostat 79, which causes the movement of a stem 8() connected with a leve-r 81 pivoted at 82 and constructed to engage with a forked lever 83, mounted on a shaft 84 which carries a valve 85 arranged to open and close the passage 50.

Pipe 86 connects the passage 58 with the engine intake pipe 43. v

Assuming the parts to be inthe position shown in Fig. 2, the suction produced by the yengine Will cause av partial vacuum to be created in the tank 47, and lubricant will be forced by atmospheric pressure from the crank case sump upwardly .through pipe 53 andthrough coil 54 Where it will be heated by the exhaust gases flowing through chamber 49. Lubricant Will enter tank 47 through passage 56 and will trickle down over the filter trap 74 to the bottom of the tank 47. and cannot pass out of pipe into tank 7 7 since the valve 76 is heldy shut by atmospheric pressure. I

The lubricant in tank 47 will be refined under the action of heat from the exhaust gas and suction of the engine communicated to said tank by pipe 86 through which the lighter' hydrocarbons and water will be sucked out in a vaporous state and be conducted to the engine to be consumed.

As the level of the lubricant in tank 47 rises float 73 will finally engage stop 71 causing the upward movement of rod 70 and of lever 65 which through the action of spring 66 will effect the upward movement of lever to close valve 59 and to open valve 60, releasing the partial vacuum in the tank 47, permitting the lubricant to gravitate into the trap 77, from whence it will overflow into crank case-42. lt is apparent that by means of this device a quantity of lubricant is withdrawn by suction from the crank clase and rendue-.ted to the refining tank 'where by virtue of heat and suction produced Laga-@Q17 l by theengine, the volatileadulterants such engine; and that 'by intermittently relieving the partial vacuum in the refining tank,

the refined lubricant will be intermittently returned to the crank case. To permit the lubricant in the refining tank from being overheated, the thermostat 79 is constructed to affect the inward movement of rod 80 upon a rise of temperature, thereby causing through the system of levers-8.1 and 83 the closing movement of valve 85, in order to cut down the How of exhaust gas through the chamber 49.

Fig. 34shows a still further modification ofthe presentinvention which .diers from the forlnshown in Fig. 2 in that the cooling water is'arranged to flow through, the heating chamber 49, in' place of the exhaust gases. ln Fig.-3, 90 desi ates an internal combustion vengine including a cylinder 91, crank case 92, jacket 93 for the .circulation of cooling water, and an intake manifold 94. The radiator 95 has an inlet 96 and an outlet 97 connected by pipe 93 the outlet of which is connected by a iixture 101 with the radiator inlet 96. Fixture 101 includes a passa e 102 provided with openings 103 and 104 adapted to be closed by balanced valves 105 and 106 mounted on rod 107 for a purpose to be described. Apertures 103 and 104 lead into chamber.,108 connected with the passage leading into the heating chamber 49 of the refining device 46 which is substantially identical with the device 46 illustrated in Fig. 2. The outlet of heating chamberV 49 is connected by pipe 110 wit pipe 98 leading to the pump. The rod 80 of the thermostatic element 79, shown in Fig.. 2, is connected by means of lever 81, link 111, and lever 112 with rod 107 to transmit motion from the thermostat 7 9 to valves 105 and 106. The pipe 86 connects the refining device with the engine intake 94. rlhe operation of this form of the invention is the same as the o eration of the second described form il ustratedin Fig. 2. Instead .of controlling the How of exhaust gases refininr device dependent for operation upon orces which are present in every internal combustion engine, therefore the said device can be directly operated bythe engine without any intermediate appliance, such as a heating device or suction pump. By refining the lubricant in the manner described, all of the diculties referred to, Which are especially present in cold weather driving, have been eliminated, thereby causing a saving in' operating expense, and ticularly a saving in lubricatmg oil.

llt is apparent that the evaporating chamber could be heated in other Ways, as by locating the chamber near some other heated part of the engine, or by passing the cooling Water through a coil located in the body of lubricant in the chamber.

'llhe terms refining and removing volapartile adulterants as ap lied to this invention are understood to invo ve the use of heat and to include the removal of Water as Well as th removal of the lighter hydrocarbon adulterants from the lubricant.

ile l have shown my invention in connection with a splash lubricating system, l Wish it to be understood that the application is not thus limited, but that my invention may be applied to other lubricating systems, such as the force feed system.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described, constitutes a preferred form of embodiment' of the invention, it is to be understood that other fcsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

`What I claim is as, follows:

1. The herein described process which includes operating an engine; supplying lubricant to moving parts thereof; and distilling the'said lubricant during operation of the englne.

2. The process of improving the quality of lubricant during use thereof in an internal-combustion engine Which includes distilling the lubricant by heat from the engine to remove the more highly volatile hydrocarbons from the lubricant.

3. rllheprocess of improving the quality of lubricant during use thereof in an internal-combustion engine which includes relining the lubricant byl heat from the engine and by vacuum producedby the en- 'ne to remove the more highly volatile hyrocarbons Jfrom the lubricant.

4. The process of operating anl engine which includes supplying the engine parts with lubricant; and distilling the lubricant under partial vacuum the engine.

5. The process 'of operating an internalcombustion engine which includes continu- 'ously circulating .lubricant toengine parts;

and removing diluents from the lubricant by heat from the engine and by vacuum.

6. ll`he process of operating an internal combustion engine which includes circulating lubricant in the engine; continuously distilling diluents from the lubricant While the engine is running; and feeding the diluents into the fuel system of the engine.

7. rlhe process of operating an internalduring operation or".

combustion engine having a lubricant rese-,r

of lubricant employed in an internal-com-l bustion engine in Which light hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with the lubricant which includes circulating the lubricant through an engine'lubricating system; removing a portion of the lubricant from the system; driving off fuel from the said portion by simultaneously applying heat and vacuum; and returning the lubricant to the said system.

10. In an engine, the combination with a lubricating system therefor; of means for distilling lubricant in the system during operation of the engine; and means for circulating portions of the lubricant through said distilling means.

11. In 'an engine, the combination with a lubricating system therefor; of engine heated lubricant distilling means for continuously removing the more highly volatile diluents from the lubricant.

12. The combination with the lubricating system of an internal-combustion engine, of means for refining the lubricant, said means having provisions for applying heat produced by the engine to the lubricant While reducing the pressure on the lubricant being. heated by means of the suction produced by the engine.

13. The combination With the lubricating system of an internal-combustion engine having an intake, of means for removing volatile adulterants from the lubricant and delivering the same to the intake, said means having provisions for applying heat produced by the engine .to the lubricant While reducing the pressure on the lubricant by means of the suction produced by the engine.

'14. The combination With the lubricating System of an internal-combustion engine; of a device for liberating the volatile adulterants from the lubricant by heating the lubricant While reducing the pressure thereon, said pressure reduction being produced by the suction of the engine, said suction causing the delivery to the engine of the said adulterants; and means for heating the lubricant. y

, 1,5.,.T-he combination with the lubricating system -of an internal-combustion engine having an intake; of a refining device in cluding a chamber, means for delivering lubricant from the system to the chamber; means for heating the lubricant; a suction pipe.v connecting the chamber With the en. vgine intake whereby the volatile adulterants removed from the lubricant by heating the same, and bythe vacuum Within-the chamber Will be delivered to the engine; and means for delivering the lubricant back to the system. l

16. The combination Withthe lubricating system of an internal-combustion engine; of means for liberating volatile adulterants from the lubricant and for delivering the same to the engine, said means having provisions for applying heat produced by engine exhaust to the lubricant while reducing the pressure on the lubricant by means of suction produced by the engine.

17 The combination with the lubricating system of an internal-combustion engine; of a refining device including a chamber connected with the lubricating system, and with the engine intake'to obtain a vacuum therein by the suction of the engine; means for heating the chamber; means operative upon a release of the vacuum in the chamber for withdrawing the lubricant from the receptacle and returning it to the system;

and means for releasing the vacuum in the chamber.

18. The combination with the lubricatingsystem of an internal-combustion engine; of a refining device including a chamber connected with the lubricating system, and With the engine intake to obtain a vacuum therein by the suction of the engine; means for heating the chamber by the exhaust gases; means operative upon a release of the vacuum in the chamber for withdrawing the lubricant r:from the chamber and returning it to the system; and means for releasing the vacuum in the chamber.

19. The combination with the lubricating system of an internal-combustion engine 4having an intake; of a refining device including a refining chamber provided with an outer jacket to provide a heating chamber surrounding the refining chamber.; passages connecting said heating chamber with a heating medium; a coil pipe located Within said heating chamber and connected With the lubricating system and the refiningv chamber; a pipe connecting the refining chamber with the engine intake; and means connecting the refining chamber with the lubricating system.

20. The combination with? the lubricating system of an internal-combustion engine having an intake; 0f Iefining device including a refining chamber; a conduit leading from the lubricating system to the rening chamber; means for heating the conreageer duit and chamber; a pipe connecting the refining chamber with the engine intake; and a return conduit connecting the refining chamber and lubricating system.

21. rlhe combination with the lubricating system of an internalfcombustion engine having an intake, of a refining device including a refining chamber; an intake pipe connecting the refining chamber and lubrieating system; a pipe connecting the refining chamber and engine intake; means for periodically relieving the partial vacuum. created in the refining chamber; a return conduit including a trap connecting the refining chamber and lubricating system, said trap permitting the outflow of lubricant from said refining chamber when the vacuum is relieved; and means for heating the chamber.

22. The combination with the lubricating system of an internal-combustion engine having an intake; of a refining device including ya refining chamber; an intake pipe leading from thev lubricating system to the top of the refining chamber; a mineral wool oil filter located in said chamber; an outlet pipe connecting said chamber and lubricating system; means for heating said chamber; and a ipe connecting said chamber with the englne intake.

23. The combination with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine having an intake; of means for refining the lubricant including a chamber connected with the lubricating system and with the engine intake whereby the suction of the engine causes lubricant to be drawn into said chamber and to be refined therein under reduced pressure; and means for heating the lubricant while under reduced pressure.

24. The combination with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine having an intake; of means for refining the lubricant including a' chamber connec with the lubricating system and with the.

engine intake whereby the suction of the engine causes lubricant to be drawn into s'aid chamber and to be refined therein under reduced pressure; means to permit lubricant in said chamberV to return by gravity to the lubricating system; and means for heating the lubricant While under reduced pressure.

25. The combination with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine having an intake; of means for refining the lubricant including a. chamber connected with the lubricating system and with the engine intake whereby the suction of the engine causes lubricant to be drawn into said chamber and to be refined therein under reduced pressure; means automatically operable intermittentl to relieve the partial vacuum in said amber to permit lubri cant in said chamber to return by gravity to the lubricating system; and means for heating the lubricant while under reduced pressure.

26. The combination with the lubricatin system of an internal combustion engine having an intake; of means for refining the lubricant including a chamber connected with the lubricating system and with the engine intake whereby the suction of the engine causes lubricant to be drawn into said chamber and to be refined therein under reduced pressure; means operable upon the rise of lubricant to a predetermined high level insaid chamber to relieve the partial vacuum in said chamber, whereby to permit lubricant in said chamber to return by gravity to the lubricating system; and means for heating the lubricant while under reduced pressure.

27. 'The combination withthe lubricating system of an internal combustion engine having an intake; of means for renin the lubric'ant including a chamber connected with the lubricating system and with the engine intake whereby the suction of the engine causes lubricant to be drawn into said chamber and to be refined therein under reduced pressure; means operable upon the rise of lubricant to ,-a predetermined high level in said chamber to open said ch'amber to the atmosphere and to close 0d' said chamber from the engine intake whereby to permit lubricant in said chamber to return by gravity to the lubricating system; and means for heating the lubric'ant while under reduced pressure. ,f

28. An apparatus for separating the vola-` tile impurities from the lubricating oil in the oiling system of a hydrocarbon engine comprising a separating chamber, means for creating'subnormal pressure therein, means for conducting voil into -said chamber, a valved outlet for said chamber, a oat within said chamber and means controlled b said Hoat for e'ecting discharge of the o1l through said outlet.

29. An oil filtering 'attachment for internal-combustion engines, including a casing inclosing a chamber, oil supply and return Bill EBU

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pipes leading from the casing to the crank t case of the engine, filtering 4means interposed in the ath of oil, means controlled by the level o oil Within the chamber for alternately producing and relieving a partial vacuum within the chamber and intermittently circulating the oil through the pipes and chamber while the engine is in operation.

30. lfn a lubricant distilling means having connection with and operating at the same time as an internal combustion engine, the combination of a distilling chamber receiving lubricant from the engine; means for directing heat from the engine to the chamber; and a return connection between the chamber and the engine having a v`check valve permitting a HOW only aWay from the chamber.

3l. A purifier for the lubricating oil of an internal `combustion engine consistin of a heating chamber having a volatile fue outlet; means connected with the ,engine for heating' the said chamber; means to cause lubrirant to flow from said engine t0 said heating Chamber; and means t0 regulate the flow of lubricant into s'aid heatingchamber.

3,2. A purifier for the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine consisting of a heating chamber having a volatile fuel outlet; means connected with the engine for heating the said chamber; means to cause lubricant to How from said engine to said heating chamber; means to regulate the flow of lubricant into said heating chamber; and temperature 'operated means for controlling the heating of the chamber.

33. A purier for the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine consisting of 'a heating ch'amber havin an outlet for gases; means connected with t e engine for heating the said chamber; engine operated means for regulatino` the flow of lubricant to the heating chamlber; and means for returning lubricant from the chamber to the engine.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

JOHN H. HUNT.

Witnesses: I

WARREN SGHMIEDING, WALTER W. RIEDEL. 

